Updates Needed to Denali SpUD Code

A provision in the current Denali Special Land Use District, or SpUD, allows the boundary to change whenever the boundaries of Denali State Park change. And the change does not require public input. 

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly referred the issue to the Planning Commission for guidance and to suggest changes to the code, according to Borough Planning and Land Use Director Alex Strawn.

All the land within the boundaries of the Denali SpUD is zoned for recreational uses. Some SpUDs enable communities like Talkeetna to determine how the community grows. Others are designated for economic development. But most have a provision to allow the community to weigh in if changes are needed, including to the boundaries.

Strawn says that as the Denali SpUD is written now, people living within it could be regulated without their input if the State Park boundary changes. 

“Say the State Park grew or the State Park shrank then as it’s written right now, the boundary would automatically change and people would be regulated or not regulated without any input into the Borough processes.”

At their August 5th meeting, the Assembly referred it to the Planning Commission for 90 days. The issue is expected to return to the Assembly in November.

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